Box Score CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 21 Illinois men's tennis team defeated Penn State, 4-0, to begin Big Ten competition at Atkins Tennis Center Friday night.
"Focus has been a big conversation we've had all year," assistant coach Tim Kopinski said. "I think that's the difference between us being 'great' and us being 'pretty good.' I think the guys did a really great job locking things in and staying sharp all the way through. We still can do a lot better and we'll need to do a lot better as the season goes on but I think we're headed in the right direction."
Karlis Ozolins and Hunter Heck started things off in doubles, beating Charl Morgan and Malik Bhatnagar, 6-3. Mathis Debru and Oliver Okonkwo clinched the doubles point, defeating Loren Byers and Sam Bossem, 6-2. Kenta Miyoshi and Alex Petrov left their match unfinished, 5-2.
Nic Meister made quick work of Bhatnagar, finishing first with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Ozolins followed suit, beating Morgan, 6-1, 6-4.
Okonkwo clinched the match with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Stefan Simeunovic to seal the victory.
The Illini will continue Big Ten play against No. 2 Ohio State on Sunday at noon at Atkins Tennis Center.
Results
Doubles competition
1. #49 Karlis Ozolins/Hunter Heck (ILL) def. Charl Morgan/Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-3
2. #56 Mathis Debru/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Loren Byers/Sam Bossem (PSU) 6-2
3. Alex Petrov/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) vs. Stefan Simeunovic/Miko Eala (PSU) 5-2, unfinished
Singles competition
1. #33 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Charl Morgan (PSU) 6-1, 6-4
2. Alex Petrov (ILL) vs. Loren Byers (PSU) 6-0, 5-2, unfinished
3. Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Miko Eala (PSU) 3-6, 1-4, unfinished
4. William Mroz (ILL) vs. Sam Bossem (PSU) 4-6, 3-2, unfinished
5. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Stefan Simeunovic (PSU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Nic Meister (ILL) def. Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
